Electromagnetic ironing machine



Nov. 4, 1947. D. K. FERRIS ELECTROMAGNETIC IRONING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY-5' Nov. 4, 1947.

D. K. FERRIS ELECTROMAGNETIC IRONING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bzz I 264, ATP EYS Nov. 4, 1947. D. K. FERRIS 3 ELECTROMAGNETIC IRONING MACHINE ac kw.

g 11 km Patented Nov. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Donald K. Ferris, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application December 23, 1940, Serial No. 371,321

' 18 Claims. (Cl. 219-19) This invention relates to domestic appliances and more particularly to ironing machines.

An object of this invention is to provide an ironing machine in which heating for ironing purposes is produced by heating currents induced within the machine.

Another object or this invention is to provide an ironing machine in which a pressure between the ironing members is produced by electromagnetic means.

Another object 01' this invention is to provide an ironing machine with electromagnetic means for inducing electromagnetic pull for pressing the ironing members against each other and for inducing heating currents within the machine.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an ironing machine embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 1a is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a hand lever control instead of a pedal control;

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken transversely to Fig. 1, with the pedal means omitted;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of portions of the ironing members showing one form of electromagnetic means;

Fig. 4 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of electromagnetic means;

Figs. 5 and 6 are views somewhat similar to Fig. 3, but showing further modifications of the electromagnetic means, said figures being taken along the line 5--5 and 8--6 respectively of Figs. 7 and 8:

Figs. '7 and 8 are views taken along lines 1-! and 8-8 respectively of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 9 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. '1 but showingia modified form and taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 10; i

Fig. 10 is a view transverse to Fig. 9:

Fig; 11 shows the mechanism of Fig. 9 in open position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing further modification; and

Fig. 13 shows a wiring diagram to indicate the energization of the various electrical parts of the ironer.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, my ironing machine may include a rotatable ironing member in and a shoe member H, which may be mounted for relative movement towards and away from each other. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the shoe member II is a movable member, carried by a lever l2 pivoted'at l3. The lever l2 normally is urged away from the roll In by a tension spring I4, so that the members in and II normally tend to be spaced away from each other. A lever I5 is fixed to the lever I2, and is connected by means of a spring ill to a vertically reciprocable rod II, which is reciprocated by the pedal i8 fulcrumed at IS. The arrangement is such that, when the pedal I8 is forced downwardly by the users foot, the spring I6 is stretched with suflicient force to overcome the tension of spring l4, and the shoe It is moved in proximity of the roll l0. After the shoe II has thus been moved near the roll ill by the pedal l8, electromagnetic means are energized to produce a pressure between the members l0 and II sufficient for ironing purposes. In addition, the electromagnetic means induces heating currents within the ironing machine of a heating value sufficient for ironing purposes.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the electromagnetic means comprises the iron core 20 having the coils 2| and 22 near its poles. The coils 2| and 22 preferably are wound with glass insulation. The shoe member II has an ironing face 23 made of non-magnetic metal, and is provided with a heat insulating shield 24. The roll I0 is provided with an iron cylinder 25 covered with a pad 26. The arrangement is such that when the coils 2i and 22 are electrically energized with alternating current, eddy currents are produced within the ironing face 23 having a heating value sufficient to heat the shoe for ironing purposes. At the same time a magnetic pull is exerted between the electromagnet and the iron cylinder 25 of sufficient intensity to produce an ironing pressure between the shoe and the roll.

The roll [0 may be supported and rotated by a motor 21 rigidly held by the pedestal 28. Suitable speed reduction gearing 29 may be interposed between the motor rotor and the drive shaft of the roll.

Energization of the electromagnetic means may be made dependent on the relative movement of the members In and I l towards and away from each other. Also, if the roll in is made rotatable by the motor 21 continuously connected to the roll in, energization of the motor 21 also may be made dependent on the relative movement of the members l0 and. Ii towards and away from each other. Pedal l8, if desired, may also control the above energizations. To this end, as shown in Fig. 1, switches 30 and 3| are placed in a position to be closed when the pedal I8 is depressed, and the switch 32 is placed in a position to be closed when the shoe H is retracted to its fully retracted position. The switch 30, when closed, energizes the motor 27. The switch 3|, when closed, energizes the coils 2| and 22. The switch 32, when closed, also energizes the coils 2| and 22 and thus is in parallel with switch 3|.

If desired, in lieu of the above arrangement, an electromagnetic clutch may be interposed between the motor 21 and the roll, in which case the motor may be allowed to run continuously and the electromagnetic clutch may be engaged to drive the roll ID by the closing of switch 30.

When it is desired to operate the ironing machine illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a master hand switch 34 (Fig. 13) is closed. If desired, a pilot light 35 indicates the closing of switch 34. An article to be ironed is placed on the roll l0, and then the pedal I8 is depressed, thus bringing the shoe near the roll l and closing the switches 30 and 3|. This causes rotation of the roll l0 and creates a magnetic pull between the members l0 and H sufficient for ironing purposes. The energization of the coils 2| and 22, upon the closing of switch 3|, also creates currents in the non-magnetic face 23 having a heat value sufficient for ironing purposes. When desired, the members In and H may be separated by allowing the pedal |8 to swing upwardly, at which time the switches 30 and 3| are opened, and the switch 32 is closed by the backward movement of the lever l2. This temporarily deenergizes the electromagnetic coils 2| and 22 and stops the roll |0. When the shoe reaches its fully retracted position, switch 32 is closed and this reenergizes the coils 2| and 22 after the shoe II has been separated from the roll ID a sufiicient distance to render the magnetic pull ineffective to bring the members l0 and H together. It also allows the electromagnetic means to keep the ironing face 23 in a heated condition, in readiness for future use.

In the modification shown in Fig. 1a the hand lever |8a is pivoted to the lever Hz: at lab to allow a slight play between |8a and IE0, thus allowing the end of the lever |Ba to be moved about an inch without imparting movement to I5a, but thereafter causing lever lid to swing with lever |8a about the fulcrum Ho. The Spring Ha is attached to lever |8a to pass the fulcrum |3a and thus produce the equivalent of a snap action in lever l8a. When lever |8a is moved to its lowest position, switches 30a and 3|a are closed, causing the motor to turn and the shoe to be electromagnetically heated and pressed against the roll. When the lever |8a is raised the switches 30a and 3|a are first opened to stop the motor and stop the magnetic pull. Thereafter the shoe is moved away from the roll and the switch 32a is closed to heat the shoe. With this construction the lever |8a stays either up or down and the hand need not hold it in either position. The wiring diagram is the same as for Fig. 1.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the roll Ma and shoe I la are supported in an ironing machine substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The electromagnetic means in this case may comprise one or more coils 2|a stationarily mounted within the roll Ilia. A suitable stationary iron core a is provided. The coils 2 Ia and core 20a may be supported from the pedestal 28. The shoe |0a is provided with a nonmagnetic metallic fac 23a and carries a magnetic armature 40. The roll I04; includes a cylinder 25a made of non-magnetic metal and is provided with suitable padding a. The operation of the construction shown in Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 3, with the exception that the coils 2|a are placed within the roll Illa and exert a pull on armature within the shoe. When the coils 2 la are energized upon depression of the pedal N, or hand lever 18a, a magnetic pull is created between the core 20a and the magnetic armature 40 to create sufficient pressure between the ironing members for ironing purposes and at the same time eddy currents are induced in the face 23a of sufiicient heating value for ironing purposes. The roll Illa may be rotated by a motor 21, and the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 13 is equally applicable to the construction shown in Fig. 4, it being understood that where more than one coil is used, to correspond to 2| and 22, such coil or coils may be placed in parallel or series, as preferred. It is to be noted that the same numerals have been used in Fig. 4 that have been used in Fig. 3 wherever possible, with the sunlx a added. Whenever the numbers are so used, it is intended to indicate that similar construction and function are used. The roll 25a is not heated much faster than its radiating ability, because of its rotation.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 'l, numerals similar to those shown in Fig. 3 are used, with the sufiix b added, it being intended by this numbering to indicate that parts similarly numbered have a somewhat similar construction and function. The shoe H2) is provided with a plurality of coils 2|b, 22b, etc., and with an iron core structure 20b, A non-magnetic metal ironing face 23b is provided. The roll lUb is provided with a stationary iron core structure 40b. The roll |0b includes a non-magnetic metal cylinder 25b and cotton padding 26b. It will be readily understood, from the descriptions heretofore given, that when the pedal I8 (or lever I811) is depressed, the coils 2|b and 22b are energized to produce the magnetic pull and the heating currents heretofore described; and that when the pedal I8 (or lever l8a) swings upwardly, the coils 2|b and 222) are temporarily deenergized until the shoe III) has been fully retracted, at which time the coils are re-energized to maintain the face 23?) in a heated condition.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the electromagnetic means has been made in two parts, one of which creates the magnetic pull, and the other of which creates the induced heating currents. Thus the shoe He is provided with a coil 2 lo and a plurality of coils Ho. The coil 2|c is provided with an iron core 200 which cooperates with a magnetic armature 40c stationarily mounted within the roll I 0 to produce the magnetic pull. An iron core structure 4| is provided for the coils 220, so that when the coils 220 are energized, heating currents are produced within the non-magnetic metal face 230. The roll |0c is constructed with a non-magnetic metallic cylinder 25c and padding 260. However, if desired, the armature 400 may be omitted, and the cylinder 250 may be made of iron or other magnetic material to serve as the magnetic armature for magnet 20c, Zlc. The operation of the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 8 is substantially the same in result as that heretofore described with respect to preceding figures. When the pedal IE (or lever No) is depressed, the coils 2|c and 220 are energized and the motor 27 rotates, at which time a magnetic pull is produced by the coil 2|c, and heating curamazes rents are induced in the face 230 by the coils 22c.

pressed, and need not be reenergized when the shoe is completely retracted.

In Figs. 9, 10 and 11 an ironing machine is shown in which the roll 50 is movable towards and away from the shoe the same being mounted on a suitable support or lever 52 which moves the roll towards the shoe 5| upon upward movement of the lever 52. Preferably this is accomplished by supporting the lever structure 52 at a fixed fulcrum 53, carried by the pedestal 53a and by mounting the roll on a bearing 54 formed on a cantilever extension 52a secured to the lever structure 52. An electromagnetic coil 55 may be carried by a fixed extension 53b of the pedestal 53a and may be provided with a movable magnetic armature 58, which is connected to the lever 52 at 51. When the coil 55 is energized, a magnetic pressure is induced between the roll 50 and the shoe 5|. A pedal 58 is pivoted about the fulcrum 59, and, if desired, is provided with suitable connection 58a, including a yielding spring 58b and a fulcrumed lever 580 connected to the lever 52 to move the lever 52 when the pedal 58 is depressed. In addition, switches 88 and 6| are provided which close upon depression of the pedal, and energize respectively the coil 55, and a motor 62 carried by the lever 52 and drivingly connected with the roll 58 through shaft 62a for rotating the same. The shoe 5| may be provided with an electrical resistance 63 for heating the face 64 of the shoe.

In the operation of the structure shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, an article to be ironed may be placed on the roll 58 and the pedal 58 may be depressed. This moves the roll 58 near the shoe 5|, energizes the coil 55 and the motor 82. Energization of the coil 55 creates a magnetic pull sufficient to provide the necessary pressure between the roll and the shoe 5| for ironing purposes. The motor 52 rotates the roll at this time.

In the modification shown in Fig. 12, a roll 18 is mounted on fixed bearings 1|. The shoe 12 is mounted on a lever 13 fulcrumed at 14. The lever 13 is provided with a fixed extension 15 which is connected by a lever 16 to a pedal 11. The shoe I2 is provided with electrical resistance I8 for heating purposes. A coil 19 is part of an electromagnet including electromagnetic armature 88, which is connected by a spring BI and lever 82 to the extension 15. Switches 83 and 84 are connected to the lever 16 and are closed whenever the pedal 11 is depressed.

In the operation of the structure shown in Fig. 12, when the pedal 11 is depressed, against the force of the tension spring 85, the switches 83 and 84 are closed thus energizing the coil 19 and an electric motor drivingly connected to the roll 10. The depression of the pedal 11 also brings the shoe 12 near the roll 10. The energization of coil 19 produces a magnetic pull on the armature 80, and through the spring structure 8|, on the shoe 12 sufficient to provide the necessary pressure between the shoe 12 and roll 10 for ironing purposes.

If desired, suitable thermostatic control may be provided. In the modifications shown in Figs.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 13, a thermostat 98 may be placed on or near the face plate 23 and may break the circuit to the electromagnetic means when the plate 23 becomes heated to a predetermined temperature. I prefer to place the thermostat 80 in series with the switch 32, as indicated in Fig. 13, so that it controls the circuit only when the shoe is retracted, as this is the only time when the shoe is likely to be overheated; but the thermostat 90 may be placed in series with both switches 3| and 32 if desired. In the modifications shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the thermostat is placed in series with'the heating electromagnetic means 22c; but not with the pulling coils 2 lo.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. An ironing device comprising two ironing members, each of said members having a magnetic element for drawing said members into ironing relationship, means carried by one of said members and including one of said magnetic elements for electromagnetically inducing currents having a heating value sufficient for ironing purposes in said device, means for deenergizing one of said magnetic elements to separate said ironing members, and means for heating one of said ironing members rendered automatically effective after they are separated beyondthe effective heating magnetic field.

2. An ironing device comprising an ironing member having a face movable in a direction of the surface to be ironed, another ironing member, said ironing members being relatively movable toward and away from each other, electromagnetic means inducing currents in one of said members having a heating value sufficient for ironing purposes and creating a magnetic pull between said ironing members, means for deenergizing said electromagnetic means to separate said ironing elements, and provisions for 1 heating one of said members rendered automaticaliy effective after they are separated beyond efl'ective heating magnetic held.

3. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, and a shoe ironing member, said ironing members being relatively movable toward and away from each other, electromagnetic -means inducing currents in one of said ironing members having a heating value sufficient for ironing purposes, and creating a magnetic pull between said ironing members, means for deenergizing said electromagnetic means to separate said ironing elements, and means for heating one of said members rendered automatically efiective after they are separated beyond effective heating and magnetic pull distance of said ironing members.

4. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member and a shoe member having a non-magnetic metal ironing element, said ironing members being relatively movable toward and away from each other, electromagnetic means in proximity to said ironing element inducing heating currents in said element and creating a magnetic pull between said ironing members, means for deenergizing said electromagnetic means to separate said ironing elements, and means for heating one of said members rendered automaticaliy effective after they are separated beyond 7 effective heating and magnetic pull distance or said ironing members.

5. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member and a shoe member having a non-magnetic metal ironing element, said ironing members being relatively movable toward and away from each other, electromagnetic means in proximity to said ironing element inducing heating currents in said element and creating a magnetic pull between said ironing members, means for deenergizing said electromagnetic means to separate said ironing elements, means for interrupting the flow of current to said electromagnetic means to separate said ironing members and shoe member, and means for automatically causing the flow of current again after said members have been separated.

6. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, one 01 said members being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members, control means controlling said movement, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value suflicient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, said control means automatically causing energization of said electromagnetic means when said members are brought together and providing for automatic deenergization of said electromagnetic means to separate said members.

7. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, one of said members being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members, control means controlling said movement, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufficient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch means operable upon said movement controlling the energization of said electromagnetic means.

8. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, one of said members being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members, movable means adapted to receive power from the operator and transmitting said power to cause said movement between said members, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufflcient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch mean for energizing said electromagnetic means upon movement of said members toward each other.

9. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, said shoe member being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members, movable means adapted to receive power from the operator and transmitting said power to cause said movement between said members, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having heating value sufllcient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch means for energizing said electromagnetic means upon movement of said members toward each other and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means for movement of said members away from each other.

10. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, said shoe member being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members,

movable means adapted to receive power from the operator and transmitting said power to cause said movement between said members, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufllcient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch means for energizing said electromagnetic means upon movement of said members toward each other and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means for movement or said members away from each other and for energizing said electromagnetic means when said members are in a fully separated condition.

11. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drivingly connected to said ironing member, a shoe member, means for causing relative movement between said members, control means controlling the said movement, electromagnetic means inducing a magnetic pull between said members to augment the first named means, switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement of said members toward each other, said control means closing and opening said switch means for relative movement of said members toward and away from each other.

12. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drivingly connected to said ironing member, a shoe member. said shoe member being relatively movable toward and away from the other, control means controlling the said movement of said relatively movable member, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufllcient for ironing purposes and inducing a magnetic pull between said members, and switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement or said members toward each other.

13. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drivingly connected to said ironing member, a shoe member, said shoe member being relatively movable toward and away from the other, control means controlling the said movement of said relatively movable member, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufficient for heating purposes, and switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement of said members toward each other.

14. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, one or said members being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other 0! said members, movable means adapted to receive power from the operator and transmitting said power to cause said movement between said members, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value suflicient for ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch means for energizing said electromagnetic means upon movement of said members toward each other and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means for movement of said members away from each other.

15. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, a shoe member, one of said members being mounted for relative movement toward and away from the other of said members, movable mean adapted to receive power from the operator and transmitting said power to cause said movement between said members,

9 electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufllcient (or ironing purposes and exerting an electromagnetic pull between said members, and switch means for energizing said electromagnetic means upon movement of said members toward each other and for deenergizing said electromagnetic means for movement oi! said members away from each other and for energizing said electromagnetic means when said members are in a fully separated condition.

16. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drivingly connected to said ironing member, a shoe member, one of said members being relatively movable toward and away from the other, control means controlling the said movement of said relatively movable member, electromagnetic means inducing a magnetic pull between said members, switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement of said members toward each other, said-control means closing and opening said switch means for relative movement of said member toward and away from each other.

17. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drivingly connected to said ironing member, a shoe member,

one of said members being relatively movable toward and away from the other, control means controlling the said movement of said relatively movable member, electromagnetic means inducing currents in said device having a heating value sufliicient for ironing purposes and inducing a magnetic pull between said members, and switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement oi. said members toward each other.

18. An ironing device comprising a rotatable ironing member, an electric motor drlvingly con- 10 nected to said ironing member, a shoe member, one oi said members being relatively movable toward and away from the other, control means controlling the said movement of said relatively movable member, electromagnetic means creating a magnetic pull between said ironing members and inducing currents in said device having a heating value sumcient for heating purposes, switch means energizing said electromagnetic means and said motor upon relative movement 01' said members toward each other, said control means closing and opening said switch means for relative movement of said members toward and away from each other. DONALD K. FERRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,594,158 Else July 27, 1926 2,063,415 Waterworth Dec. 8, 1936 1,686,708 Newhouse Oct. 9, 1928 2,024,939 McCaughan Dec. 17, 1935 2,122,694 Muller July 5, 1938 1,458,634 Waage June 12, 1928 1,560,758 Carroll Nov. 10, 1925 1,650,828 Geldho! Nov. 29, 1927 2,133,494 Waters Oct. 18, 1938. 949,351 Clayton Feb. 15, 1910 1,596,264 Weller Aug. 17, 1920 1,484,879 Fogwell et al Feb. 26, 1924 1,787,125 Snow Dec. 30, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 84,835 Austria July 25, 1921 

